Homestart - what did they do for you?

[charlottexox]

Basically I have someone coming around this Friday to talk to me about a volunteer from home start.
I've finally got someone in my area to do it as I have been struggling with DD whose nearly 2 and currently 21 weeks pregnant with DD #2.
I think the majority of it is finding things for DD to do to fill up our days as I'm a full time SAHM.

I was a Homestart volunteer for a while, and the people I went to see mainly wanted to chat to someone over the age of 5. We were not supposed to do housework or childcare, but it all depends on what you need and what your volunteer offers.

I'm always a bit flummoxed by home start who say they're "helping" families who are struggling, but won't do housework or entertain the kids for a bit whilst the mum or dad gets on with stuff. I was put off volunteering for this reason... surely those two things are the main things a busy parent needs? If all you basically do is sit and have a chat surely you're just another visitor, useful if they're lonely but limited usefulness?! Somebody set me straight?